A not too common modification of the MT-LB with enhanced armament is seen among the military equipment of the Russian army returning from exercises to places of permanent deployment.
In one of the videos of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the loading of T-72B main battle tanks with protective visors - screens on the towers, 122-mm self-propelled artillery 2S1 "Carnation" and light armored transporters with 30-mm automatic guns are demonstrated on railway platforms.
Usually, the troops operate "motorcycle lugs", in the turret installations of which there are 7.62 mm PKT machine guns, versions with 12.7 mm NSVT "Utes" are also known.
Based on combat experience in the North Caucasus, where these multi-purpose tracked vehicles had no equal in cross-country capability, it was decided to equip them with more powerful means of destruction.
So, on the improved MT-LB 6MA, a combat compartment was installed from the BTR-80 with 14.5-mm KPVT and 7.62-mm PKT. The Vladimirova machine gun can hit various targets at distances up to 2000 meters, and the Kalashnikov - up to 1500 meters.
On the MT-LBM 6MB, a module was already mounted with a 30-mm 2A72 cannon and the same PKT. The rapid-firing gun has the ability to destroy enemy manpower located at a distance of 4000 meters, and armored objects at 2000 meters.
The combat weight is almost 12 tons, the capacity is 10 people. The engine power is 300 hp. The maximum speed is 65 km / h on the highway and 6 km / h - afloat. The fuel reserve is 500 km.
As a result, motorized infantry received combat vehicles capable of not only delivering personnel, but also supporting their actions with highly effective fire.
Alexey Moiseev